........With my Heart
- Thread starter PacNorWest
- Start date
Will continue to keep you and your family in prayers. You've had it rough that's for certain.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
Thank you all, it is so humbling to read of so many prayers. The staples came out well, x-rays show everything in place, the pain goes with the territory, so we were told. Hummm, not that I totally agree with that announcement, but he had so many screws attached to his vertebrae, that the pain will be there until his body accepts them.
It's so hard on poor Mr. Pac to be traveling for so long, [6 hours each way] but the air ambulance about cost us the ranch, so it has to be by car. Our Grandchildren about go nuts being confined for so long, so we take breaks and go walking, and then have to put screaming, protesting children back into car seats.
Did I mention I am so happy to be home. Thank you all.
It's so hard on poor Mr. Pac to be traveling for so long, [6 hours each way] but the air ambulance about cost us the ranch, so it has to be by car. Our Grandchildren about go nuts being confined for so long, so we take breaks and go walking, and then have to put screaming, protesting children back into car seats.
Did I mention I am so happy to be home. Thank you all.
DustMusher
Deceased
Pac, thank you for the stories but thank you even more for the updates on Mr. Pac. He and your whole family remain in my prayers.
The pain unfortunately is a part of the healing process. Find things which will distract his mind from the pain. I have chronic pain - on meds for the last 4 years. Mindless TV, games - on the computer -- since I can sit or with my laptop, us it laying down to rest my back. Music and comedy movies and pure escapism TV/movies have helped. But what has helped the most, for me, is the ongoing stories on this forum and others. The stories are an escape, and waiting for the next chapter gives me something to think about. Prayer is as, if not more, important than the pain meds -- not just a quick rote prayer, but real conversations with God.
I am glad to hear all is in the right places - and please let Mr. Pac know it is OK to feel down, mad and the whole list of emotions - but always keep a perspective that this too shall pass.
I love this series of stories, and eagerly await the next chapter for my enjoyment, but also as a sign that you are taking some time for yourself to escape the pressure of caring for Mr. Pac and just life's day to day chores .
Many thanks, caring and prayers, and thanks for the chapters.
DM
The pain unfortunately is a part of the healing process. Find things which will distract his mind from the pain. I have chronic pain - on meds for the last 4 years. Mindless TV, games - on the computer -- since I can sit or with my laptop, us it laying down to rest my back. Music and comedy movies and pure escapism TV/movies have helped. But what has helped the most, for me, is the ongoing stories on this forum and others. The stories are an escape, and waiting for the next chapter gives me something to think about. Prayer is as, if not more, important than the pain meds -- not just a quick rote prayer, but real conversations with God.
I am glad to hear all is in the right places - and please let Mr. Pac know it is OK to feel down, mad and the whole list of emotions - but always keep a perspective that this too shall pass.
I love this series of stories, and eagerly await the next chapter for my enjoyment, but also as a sign that you are taking some time for yourself to escape the pressure of caring for Mr. Pac and just life's day to day chores .
Many thanks, caring and prayers, and thanks for the chapters.
DM
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#31
Evie stared at her brother, his eyes meeting hers with a calm dignity. "Evie," Ron acknowledged her through the barred window.
"Ron," Evie returned the greeting with a raspy croak, trying hard to clear her throat. "What in the world are you doing?"
"Avenging Sarah, we do not allow our women to be killed without reprisal," he coolly raised his chin and gazed with out blinking.
"She left the Family, but she didn't leave me, I did not authorize her to do so." Ron was factual and calm. "Sarah panicked and walked away from San Francisco due to a misunderstanding with me. We were finally informed to her whereabouts at the same time I had to attend a 'Federal retreat', as you might call it. There was a minor confrontation with the skinny little weasel that was up here to keep an eye on her, but he finally saw things my way.
Evie shook her head, trying to get over her surprise at finding her brother was associated with the mob. "Did you kill Wright, Tammy, the deputy and Inghram?" she demanded, looking for verbal conformation as Benny was standing at the cell door out of sight of Ron.
"Yes, no, yes and yes," Ron returned easily. "I can smell cops," he scolded his sister. "That wasn't particularly clever of you to try and trap me. I assume the Sheriff is a relative, he looks like you."
"Our Grandson," Evie returned proudly. "he's very good at his craft."
"Yes, yes he is," Ron agreed affably, but didn't elaborate any further.
"Grandma, who is this?" Benny asked with a puzzled tone. "You were in here so long, I got to wondering if you were OK?"
Evie reached out her hand to draw the tall, lean man closer to the cell window. "Benny, this is my brother Ron, Sarah was his wife," she explained to the Sheriff as he raised his eyebrow in a typical Grandma type fashion.
"Oh, well Sir, I have to admit to being puzzled by the killings. Why Wright?" Benny pressed.
"It was needed. He was snooping into the Family business. We don't allow that," Ron shot back rapidly. "The other two were simply in the way." Ron's delivery was so matter of fact and with out emotion, it gave Evie a chill and she shivered. Benny put his arm around Evie's shoulders in a comforting manner, drawing her close.
"Did you kill the McCann woman?"
"Nope, don't know who she is," The pudgy man returned with a shrug, addressing his remarks to Benny. "I had a mission, and now it's finished. I have cancer that has metastasized through out my body, so I anticipate dying soon and you won't have another mouth to feed." with that he chuckled and sat heavily down on the cot. Ron turned over and faced the wall, effectively ending the conversation.
Benny motioned Evie to follow him out of the cell area. He shut the connecting door between the front area and cell block and turned to face the inquiring looks waiting expectantly.
The shadow looked at the sheriff's office, smiling slightly. He dug in his pocket for the small tin of mints and carefully selected one. It was reassuring to check on the transmitter and enjoy a small candy at the same time.
Benny contacted Wright's office by radio and the agent that answered was stunned by his news."Are you sure?" he kept asking Benny. "That man is a wanted gangster with the ability to get out of any jail due to his big time lawyer's." the agent gushed.
"Not this one, not this time," Benny answered easily. "Send a chopper and a Doc," Benny ordered.
Evie stared at her brother, his eyes meeting hers with a calm dignity. "Evie," Ron acknowledged her through the barred window.
"Ron," Evie returned the greeting with a raspy croak, trying hard to clear her throat. "What in the world are you doing?"
"Avenging Sarah, we do not allow our women to be killed without reprisal," he coolly raised his chin and gazed with out blinking.
"She left the Family, but she didn't leave me, I did not authorize her to do so." Ron was factual and calm. "Sarah panicked and walked away from San Francisco due to a misunderstanding with me. We were finally informed to her whereabouts at the same time I had to attend a 'Federal retreat', as you might call it. There was a minor confrontation with the skinny little weasel that was up here to keep an eye on her, but he finally saw things my way.
Evie shook her head, trying to get over her surprise at finding her brother was associated with the mob. "Did you kill Wright, Tammy, the deputy and Inghram?" she demanded, looking for verbal conformation as Benny was standing at the cell door out of sight of Ron.
"Yes, no, yes and yes," Ron returned easily. "I can smell cops," he scolded his sister. "That wasn't particularly clever of you to try and trap me. I assume the Sheriff is a relative, he looks like you."
"Our Grandson," Evie returned proudly. "he's very good at his craft."
"Yes, yes he is," Ron agreed affably, but didn't elaborate any further.
"Grandma, who is this?" Benny asked with a puzzled tone. "You were in here so long, I got to wondering if you were OK?"
Evie reached out her hand to draw the tall, lean man closer to the cell window. "Benny, this is my brother Ron, Sarah was his wife," she explained to the Sheriff as he raised his eyebrow in a typical Grandma type fashion.
"Oh, well Sir, I have to admit to being puzzled by the killings. Why Wright?" Benny pressed.
"It was needed. He was snooping into the Family business. We don't allow that," Ron shot back rapidly. "The other two were simply in the way." Ron's delivery was so matter of fact and with out emotion, it gave Evie a chill and she shivered. Benny put his arm around Evie's shoulders in a comforting manner, drawing her close.
"Did you kill the McCann woman?"
"Nope, don't know who she is," The pudgy man returned with a shrug, addressing his remarks to Benny. "I had a mission, and now it's finished. I have cancer that has metastasized through out my body, so I anticipate dying soon and you won't have another mouth to feed." with that he chuckled and sat heavily down on the cot. Ron turned over and faced the wall, effectively ending the conversation.
Benny motioned Evie to follow him out of the cell area. He shut the connecting door between the front area and cell block and turned to face the inquiring looks waiting expectantly.
The shadow looked at the sheriff's office, smiling slightly. He dug in his pocket for the small tin of mints and carefully selected one. It was reassuring to check on the transmitter and enjoy a small candy at the same time.
Benny contacted Wright's office by radio and the agent that answered was stunned by his news."Are you sure?" he kept asking Benny. "That man is a wanted gangster with the ability to get out of any jail due to his big time lawyer's." the agent gushed.
"Not this one, not this time," Benny answered easily. "Send a chopper and a Doc," Benny ordered.
The idea of him choking on his mints gave me a chuckle, lol. That would be a neat little twist, wouldn't it? Thanks, Pac!!
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you Pac.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#32
Clora motioned Wayne to hand the sleeping Christy to her, now that she was sitting comfortably. The girl was growing and quite a lapful for the tall, slender woman. Christy stirred and mumbled as she was transferred to Clora, but snuggling into her embrace as she went back to sleep. Clora smiled at Evie, and her Grandmother returned the happy movement.
Wayne was rubbing the back of his hand now that his arms were free. "Are you experiencing a terrible itch?" he asked Sandy; who was busy with her thumb massaging the back of her hand.
"Yeah," she said with surprise, looking at his hand and then hers. "It tingles and burns and itches."
Sandy walked over to Wayne and they compared the condition of their cuts. Lainey observed, as they pressed the slices hard enough to make them bleed once more. "That seems to help," Sandy said to no one in particular. "There must be something still inside."
Wayne flipped open his knife and poked around in his cut.
"You really shouldn't do that," Evie admonished. "Is your knife clean? You don't want an infection."
"Yes Grandma," the two voices mimic ed a smart aleck reply as Sandy put away her knife also. "We will be careful," they spoke again in unison, and that lead to a round of laughter.
Evie shook her head in supposed dismay. "You're a couple of rats," she scolded.
"Benny, is there any way to confirm any of what Ron said. I can't believe that he is involved in the mob, but that might suggest why Wright was so interested in us, going to all the trouble he has done. It's been," she counted in ten's of years on her fingers, "almost 60 years since I last talked to him. I've told you about the dust-up I had with Sarah at their wedding, and that was the last time I spoke with him." Evie shook her head in regret.
"I put out feelers to the FBI," Benny recounted tiredly. 'It's not real healthy to go probing around the mob bosses without a good reason," He reached over to fiddle with the radio knob, trying to make sure he would hear the call when it came in.
There was a gust of wind that swept into the windowless sheriff's office, blowing the carefully piled papers into a swirl. "It's gonna rain," Benny said unnecessarily. "I can smell it. Can I give you a lift home Grandma?"
"Yes please," Evie was tired and not to proud to cage a ride when she could.
Wayne and Sandy decided to walk home, and Clora took Christy in the vehicle along with Evie.
"This is my last trip," Benny announced as he dropped Christy into the arms of Ev. "I'm about out of fuel and need to conserve for an emergency."
"Wish I had more than a quarter tank," Ev shook his head slowly. "You're sure welcome to what I've got left."
"Thanks," Benny clapped Ev on the shoulder. "I appreciate it man, stay safe. I found out who the guy was. That's Grandma's brother Ron, he's supposed to be a high mucky muck in the mob and Sarah was his wife. Say, you and Will got tangled up with the mob when you cleaned out the roadhouse, didn't you?"
Ev nodded, and looked around. "Is Sandy coming back? If she isn't I've got to get supper started and then do the chores."
"She'll be along soon, she and Wayne are walking out from town," Benny added with a frown. "I think they needed to talk. Sandy is still pretty steamed at Wayne for not 'fessing up that he was a brother. I wouldn't want to test her. She's awful handy with that little knife she always carries."
Ev snorted his agreement, grinning as he turned to take the sleepy Christy inside. Clora helped Evie down and into their house, listening to Evie blister the faded paint with her opinion of low down, lop eared, no good people that call themselves human. She was mad about the broken window and stomped hard on the floor as she swept up the broken shards, refusing to let Clora help her.
Clora kept an eye on her, smiling to herself as the old lady vented her frustrations in a most vocal way.
"Geeze Grandma, we could hear you all the way down the driveway," Sandy complained as she came in the kitchen. "It's just a window."
Evie turned around and gave her youngest Granddaughter 'the look' effectively silencing the young woman. Sandy theatrically shivered and stepped aside as she was dodging a bullet. Wayne took up the play and pretended to get struck by the glancing blow, falling to his knees dramatically.
It was harder to say who was more astonished; Wayne that he participated in a nonsense moment, or Evie that the young man seemed more like his old self.
"Let's get a fire going and get the coffee on," she declared happily. "How about canned elk stew and biscuits for supper?" It felt good to have her grandkids in the house.
"Not me," Sandy said slowly. "I've got to get to Ev's and get their supper going. Bye everyone, talk to you all later."
"Not me," Benny kissed Evie on the top of her head. "I've got to get back to the office."
"Office my foot," Clora retorted snappily. "You just want to go get googily eyed at Lainey."
Benny breezed by, using his fist to bop Clora in the upper arm. "Owed you one," he laughed in good humor, "mind your manners!"
"I'll eat," Wayne said in a hungry sounding voice. "I'm starved, can't remember when I've been this hungry." he tended the stove while Clora finished sweeping up the glass and went to the basement for a couple of jars of stew.
"I'm ready for a nice quiet evening," Evie declared with spirit. "Now just where are those confounded dogs, not a single mutt under foot tonight."
Clora motioned Wayne to hand the sleeping Christy to her, now that she was sitting comfortably. The girl was growing and quite a lapful for the tall, slender woman. Christy stirred and mumbled as she was transferred to Clora, but snuggling into her embrace as she went back to sleep. Clora smiled at Evie, and her Grandmother returned the happy movement.
Wayne was rubbing the back of his hand now that his arms were free. "Are you experiencing a terrible itch?" he asked Sandy; who was busy with her thumb massaging the back of her hand.
"Yeah," she said with surprise, looking at his hand and then hers. "It tingles and burns and itches."
Sandy walked over to Wayne and they compared the condition of their cuts. Lainey observed, as they pressed the slices hard enough to make them bleed once more. "That seems to help," Sandy said to no one in particular. "There must be something still inside."
Wayne flipped open his knife and poked around in his cut.
"You really shouldn't do that," Evie admonished. "Is your knife clean? You don't want an infection."
"Yes Grandma," the two voices mimic ed a smart aleck reply as Sandy put away her knife also. "We will be careful," they spoke again in unison, and that lead to a round of laughter.
Evie shook her head in supposed dismay. "You're a couple of rats," she scolded.
"Benny, is there any way to confirm any of what Ron said. I can't believe that he is involved in the mob, but that might suggest why Wright was so interested in us, going to all the trouble he has done. It's been," she counted in ten's of years on her fingers, "almost 60 years since I last talked to him. I've told you about the dust-up I had with Sarah at their wedding, and that was the last time I spoke with him." Evie shook her head in regret.
"I put out feelers to the FBI," Benny recounted tiredly. 'It's not real healthy to go probing around the mob bosses without a good reason," He reached over to fiddle with the radio knob, trying to make sure he would hear the call when it came in.
There was a gust of wind that swept into the windowless sheriff's office, blowing the carefully piled papers into a swirl. "It's gonna rain," Benny said unnecessarily. "I can smell it. Can I give you a lift home Grandma?"
"Yes please," Evie was tired and not to proud to cage a ride when she could.
Wayne and Sandy decided to walk home, and Clora took Christy in the vehicle along with Evie.
"This is my last trip," Benny announced as he dropped Christy into the arms of Ev. "I'm about out of fuel and need to conserve for an emergency."
"Wish I had more than a quarter tank," Ev shook his head slowly. "You're sure welcome to what I've got left."
"Thanks," Benny clapped Ev on the shoulder. "I appreciate it man, stay safe. I found out who the guy was. That's Grandma's brother Ron, he's supposed to be a high mucky muck in the mob and Sarah was his wife. Say, you and Will got tangled up with the mob when you cleaned out the roadhouse, didn't you?"
Ev nodded, and looked around. "Is Sandy coming back? If she isn't I've got to get supper started and then do the chores."
"She'll be along soon, she and Wayne are walking out from town," Benny added with a frown. "I think they needed to talk. Sandy is still pretty steamed at Wayne for not 'fessing up that he was a brother. I wouldn't want to test her. She's awful handy with that little knife she always carries."
Ev snorted his agreement, grinning as he turned to take the sleepy Christy inside. Clora helped Evie down and into their house, listening to Evie blister the faded paint with her opinion of low down, lop eared, no good people that call themselves human. She was mad about the broken window and stomped hard on the floor as she swept up the broken shards, refusing to let Clora help her.
Clora kept an eye on her, smiling to herself as the old lady vented her frustrations in a most vocal way.
"Geeze Grandma, we could hear you all the way down the driveway," Sandy complained as she came in the kitchen. "It's just a window."
Evie turned around and gave her youngest Granddaughter 'the look' effectively silencing the young woman. Sandy theatrically shivered and stepped aside as she was dodging a bullet. Wayne took up the play and pretended to get struck by the glancing blow, falling to his knees dramatically.
It was harder to say who was more astonished; Wayne that he participated in a nonsense moment, or Evie that the young man seemed more like his old self.
"Let's get a fire going and get the coffee on," she declared happily. "How about canned elk stew and biscuits for supper?" It felt good to have her grandkids in the house.
"Not me," Sandy said slowly. "I've got to get to Ev's and get their supper going. Bye everyone, talk to you all later."
"Not me," Benny kissed Evie on the top of her head. "I've got to get back to the office."
"Office my foot," Clora retorted snappily. "You just want to go get googily eyed at Lainey."
Benny breezed by, using his fist to bop Clora in the upper arm. "Owed you one," he laughed in good humor, "mind your manners!"
"I'll eat," Wayne said in a hungry sounding voice. "I'm starved, can't remember when I've been this hungry." he tended the stove while Clora finished sweeping up the glass and went to the basement for a couple of jars of stew.
"I'm ready for a nice quiet evening," Evie declared with spirit. "Now just where are those confounded dogs, not a single mutt under foot tonight."
Uh oh! Where are the dogs?
Thanks, Pac!
Thanks, Pac!
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#33
"Sorry Stan, you can't come in. Benny said no visitors and he is coming right back," left to guard the jail, Lainey sat in the Sheriff's chair with the shot gun across her lap. "As soon as he gets here, I'll go start supper." she promised. "Isn't Inga working?" Lainey frowned at the lax attitude the woman was projecting.
"Nobody there," Stan gave Lainey his best hangdog look. "No cookies in the bowl on the table, nothing cooking on the stove. I tell ya Lainey, this is getting to be a nothing town. Nothing here anymore and hardly anybody to care." he stood in the doorway and propped himself against the door jamb, showing no inclination to leave.
The way Stan was acting and looking at her, kinda gave her the heebee jeebies. Lainey felt the hair stand up on the back of her neck, and she swiveled the chair so that the shotgun was pointed toward the doorway. In the quiet of the late afternoon, Lainey heard the most welcome sound she could imagine. Ben was arriving in town. Thank God she breathed a short prayer, but didn't let go of the shotgun.
Ben spoke to Stan as he walked up the sidewalk., expecting that the old mechanic would move aside and let him enter. Ben's eyes cut to Lainey and he could see she was agitated and tense, holding the shotgun at the ready. As Stan looked over his shoulder to watch Ben arrive, Lainey moved her finger to the trigger.
Sitting absolutely still, Lainey wondered what the heck had triggered the response she was having, no visible basis for her alarm.
Lainey watched as Ben picked up on her unease, his backbone stiffening and his hand resting easily on the butt of his gun.
"Howdy Stan, what's happening in your world?" Ben took two more steps toward Stan, still expecting the man to move aside. Stan lunged into the room, a knife in his hand. Headed straight ahead he raised the dagger to plunge it into Lainey. Lainey braced the shotgun against the chair arm and pulled the trigger.
Ben's shot hit Stan in the back, collapsing the man onto the floor. Lainey's blast peppered the wall and ceiling above the doorway, thankfully missing Ben. The percussion of the shotgun pushing the chair further around the desk, banging Lainey's arm at the elbow.
Ben kicked the knife across the room floor as he opened his arms to gather up Lainey as she shot out of the chair toward him. Stepping over the barely breathing Stan, Ben ignored the rattling gurgle coming from the mechanic's lungs as he wrapped his arms around his sweetheart.
"Are you OK?" he whispered fiercely, squeezing the breath out of her in his worry.
"Yes, and you?" Lainey whispered back. "He was acting so strangely, he scared me Ben." she pressed close to her man, feeling safe in the circle of his arms.
"What went on?" Ben questioned huskily, watching Stan die on the floor.
"I was sitting here like you said too, and told Stan he couldn't come in when he came to the door. He wouldn't leave and something about him this time, made me scared. I've never seen him that way before, he was awful the way he looked at me."
Stan made a slight groan as his life slipped away, his form going still on the floor. "He's dead," Ben whispered into Lainey's hair, his breath tickling her ear.
"I'm glad," she said angrily. "That was a horrible thing for him to do."
Ben's attention was snagged by the sight of Stan's hand. The back of the mechanics battered right
hand had a slight raised lump. Stan carried one of the strange, transmitting devices.
Benny stepped away from Lainey, using the toe of his boot to move the dead man's hand. He was certain it was a transmitter, but the knobbed and gnarled condition of the skin hid the shape of the device from the casual observer.
It was what was in Stan's pocket's that was the most interesting of all. Stan carried orders to kill the Hanson Tribe.
"Sorry Stan, you can't come in. Benny said no visitors and he is coming right back," left to guard the jail, Lainey sat in the Sheriff's chair with the shot gun across her lap. "As soon as he gets here, I'll go start supper." she promised. "Isn't Inga working?" Lainey frowned at the lax attitude the woman was projecting.
"Nobody there," Stan gave Lainey his best hangdog look. "No cookies in the bowl on the table, nothing cooking on the stove. I tell ya Lainey, this is getting to be a nothing town. Nothing here anymore and hardly anybody to care." he stood in the doorway and propped himself against the door jamb, showing no inclination to leave.
The way Stan was acting and looking at her, kinda gave her the heebee jeebies. Lainey felt the hair stand up on the back of her neck, and she swiveled the chair so that the shotgun was pointed toward the doorway. In the quiet of the late afternoon, Lainey heard the most welcome sound she could imagine. Ben was arriving in town. Thank God she breathed a short prayer, but didn't let go of the shotgun.
Ben spoke to Stan as he walked up the sidewalk., expecting that the old mechanic would move aside and let him enter. Ben's eyes cut to Lainey and he could see she was agitated and tense, holding the shotgun at the ready. As Stan looked over his shoulder to watch Ben arrive, Lainey moved her finger to the trigger.
Sitting absolutely still, Lainey wondered what the heck had triggered the response she was having, no visible basis for her alarm.
Lainey watched as Ben picked up on her unease, his backbone stiffening and his hand resting easily on the butt of his gun.
"Howdy Stan, what's happening in your world?" Ben took two more steps toward Stan, still expecting the man to move aside. Stan lunged into the room, a knife in his hand. Headed straight ahead he raised the dagger to plunge it into Lainey. Lainey braced the shotgun against the chair arm and pulled the trigger.
Ben's shot hit Stan in the back, collapsing the man onto the floor. Lainey's blast peppered the wall and ceiling above the doorway, thankfully missing Ben. The percussion of the shotgun pushing the chair further around the desk, banging Lainey's arm at the elbow.
Ben kicked the knife across the room floor as he opened his arms to gather up Lainey as she shot out of the chair toward him. Stepping over the barely breathing Stan, Ben ignored the rattling gurgle coming from the mechanic's lungs as he wrapped his arms around his sweetheart.
"Are you OK?" he whispered fiercely, squeezing the breath out of her in his worry.
"Yes, and you?" Lainey whispered back. "He was acting so strangely, he scared me Ben." she pressed close to her man, feeling safe in the circle of his arms.
"What went on?" Ben questioned huskily, watching Stan die on the floor.
"I was sitting here like you said too, and told Stan he couldn't come in when he came to the door. He wouldn't leave and something about him this time, made me scared. I've never seen him that way before, he was awful the way he looked at me."
Stan made a slight groan as his life slipped away, his form going still on the floor. "He's dead," Ben whispered into Lainey's hair, his breath tickling her ear.
"I'm glad," she said angrily. "That was a horrible thing for him to do."
Ben's attention was snagged by the sight of Stan's hand. The back of the mechanics battered right
hand had a slight raised lump. Stan carried one of the strange, transmitting devices.
Benny stepped away from Lainey, using the toe of his boot to move the dead man's hand. He was certain it was a transmitter, but the knobbed and gnarled condition of the skin hid the shape of the device from the casual observer.
It was what was in Stan's pocket's that was the most interesting of all. Stan carried orders to kill the Hanson Tribe.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Gsads glad ben got him, thank you so much pac.
As one of my grandsons says, "Hosey Moses." This story just took another turn. I'm not sure if this was a road map any of us could find our way home. Glad you are perking again Pac. Must mean you and Mr. Pac are getting rested from your last bout of hospital stay. Stay well.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#34
"Ben, did you read this?" Lainey asked in a hushed whisper, waving the two sheets of folded paper. The many creases making the words difficult to read, the message enough to chill her heart. "What's this other language, it looks like a garble of French with German words thrown in?"
The English was plain, simple and direct. The order was to dispose of anyone connected to the Hanson's. The French, Benny couldn't decipher but he knew Inga could. A little wiggle of unease squiggled down his spine and Ben grabbed Lainey by the hand and they sped down the street to the clinic.
The back door was open. Ben drew his gun and motioned for Lainey to hide herself in the rickety old garage. Efficiently he swept the rooms, not finding Inga. Dread filled his heart as he ran upstairs and found no one. Finally he called for her, yelling her name over and over. Identifying himself he shouted three more times. From the master bedroom closet came a rustle and Inga unfolded herself from a small top of the closet shelf.
Ben had no idea how she got up there but he was glad to see her; but not as overjoyed as Inga was, that he was not the murdering Stan. Inga was white as a sheet and weak kneed to the point of being unable to walk. Ben finally picked her up so she wouldn't fall down the stairs. Lainey was standing in the doorway when they entered the kitchen, the shotgun in her hand.
"Wow Inga, was he here?" Lainey went to the sink for a dishtowel wrung out with cold water. "Are you OK?"
All Inga could do was nod that she was alright, words were sticking in her throat.
Lainey brought her a glass of cold water, and then had to help her hold the glass so she could drink.
"Dear God," Inga finally rasped. "He intended to kill me. Ben, he,...he was sent here to kill all of us. Stan was ranting and raving about Gunnar and how they were finally going to have their revenge on Pete." she sobbed a little and then jumped up out of the chair.
"We've got to get the family together at Grandma's. Now, tonight, before Stan finds us. We have to be safe." as she spoke her voice got higher and higher as her nerves and panic took over.
"Inga!" Ben barked loudly in her face, subsiding the overwrought emotion Inga was working up. "He's dead, I came to see if you could read the papers Stan had in his pocket."
"I want to go home," Inga said tearfully. "No way am I staying here tonight, not ever again will I stay here." she might have been sobbing, but Inga was definite. She was done with the clinic.
Ben closed the doors and helped both ladies into the Sheriff's SUV. The lights were still on at Grandma's, the welcoming smell of stew and biscuits wafting through the broken window as they stepped on the porch.
"Grandma, it's us," Ben had the sense to call out, as the shotgun barrels withdrew from the cover of the door curtain.
"Come in," Evie invited, gasping as she got a good look at the wild eyed, high strung Inga and the gun toting Lainey. "Good heavens, what has happened?"
Wayne stepped into the room, wiping shaving cream from his face, waving his gun, ready for action. "Hey man, you wanna get shot?" he scolded harshly, fixing Ben with a fierce glare.
"Where's Sandy," Ben ignored the implied threat. "Would you go get her, we need to have a family meeting, right now!" he emphasized.
"Over at Ev's, I'll go fetch," Wayne threw the gooey hand towel on the counter and it landed foam and whiskers side down, smearing down the drawer fronts as it slid to the floor.
Wayne was half shaved and a comical sight as he loped across the pasture to the Wilson's. Sandy made him identify himself before she would open the door and let Wayne in. She burst out laughing, her sense of humor tickled pink by the sight of the half and half shaved man.
"Hey, com'on," Wayne urged rapidly. "You gotta come home right away. Family meeting," he grabbed at her hand and tugged her toward the door.
"Hold on, hold on," Sandy scolded. "I want my coat and have to let Ev and Cheryl know I'm going."
"The whole town could have heard," Ev complained as he came from Christy's room where he had just tucked his sleepy daughter in bed.
"Get him out of here," Ev ordered with a grin. "He's wild enough looking to scare the devil."
"Dare ya," Wayne taunted, stroking the shaved side of his face to indicate that Ev should shave and scare the devil himself.
The family meeting commenced with grace and bowls of stew and biscuits with jam. Ben by the right of being Sheriff started talking first.
"I had to kill Stan," he announced with out preamble. "He was gunning for Inga, and tried to knife Lainey. Now," he paused for maximum effect, "we have a letter that may help us make heads or tails of this whole mess."
He gave Inga the letter and asked her to read it aloud. The English was stark and harsh. Kill the family, was written several times.
The disjointed mixture of French and German was more difficult, but Inga read on.
Gunnar had concocted up a plan to smuggle diamonds into the country in Inga's trophies. Pete was his contact on this side, where the brother was supposed to help remove the diamonds and send them on to the proper 'friends.'
Then...Gunnar found out Pete was the scum that had loved and left his triplet sisters with multiple children. Pete had been trying to find the trophies, Gunnar had been trying to find Pete and Tammy had been recruited to enforce of bit of 'justice' over all.
Tammy had defaulted against Gunnar and sold out her information to a interested cadre of very polite Oriental gentleman. She took in a great deal of cash from both sources. They wanted the diamonds, and eliminated Tammy when she couldn't produce. Davis had been an after thought, and she had no idea why he was there with a rifle.
Inghram had spent two years in France with a young Gunnar in a snooty boarding school, the little transmitters were Doc's contributions to the elaborate scheme. The only problem was, it was never explained how and who controlled the small inciter's. That small, pertinent piece of information forgotten in the mêlée. It was not a good thing it had been overlooked.
Why Doc had shared such information with Wright was still a puzzle, unless as Ben conjectured, he let his conscience get the better of him and alerted the authorities. The fact that Wright and Doc had been killed by Ron was pure coincidence. Or so he hoped.
Stan was an unwitting pawn in the scheme; his little transmitter had malfunctioned and it took many months to build up the dead certain urge to destroy all the Hanson's.
Evie fanned herself with her napkin, "Phew, I can't believe all of this is real. How in the world did we get mixed up in all this intrigue and murders."
"Just lucky, I guess," Clora deadpanned, bringing a nervous chuckle from around the table.
"Yeah," the kids agreed together.
The moment was interrupted by a scratch at the door. Wayne stretched over to turn the knob and in pranced the trio, Inky, Ruby and Junior. They were caked in mud and muck, having had a swell time all afternoon playing with a group of piglets in a odoriferous mud wallow. All three shook vigorously, spraying the inside of Evie's spotlessly clean kitchen and the people there in with stinky hog manure.
The end. The end of ........With my heart.
There is a final chapter, but it has to wait until the work load eases this fall. Mr Pac and I thank you for the good wishes, prayers and encouragement you all have sent our way. Thank you for reading and feeding my writing urge.
"Ben, did you read this?" Lainey asked in a hushed whisper, waving the two sheets of folded paper. The many creases making the words difficult to read, the message enough to chill her heart. "What's this other language, it looks like a garble of French with German words thrown in?"
The English was plain, simple and direct. The order was to dispose of anyone connected to the Hanson's. The French, Benny couldn't decipher but he knew Inga could. A little wiggle of unease squiggled down his spine and Ben grabbed Lainey by the hand and they sped down the street to the clinic.
The back door was open. Ben drew his gun and motioned for Lainey to hide herself in the rickety old garage. Efficiently he swept the rooms, not finding Inga. Dread filled his heart as he ran upstairs and found no one. Finally he called for her, yelling her name over and over. Identifying himself he shouted three more times. From the master bedroom closet came a rustle and Inga unfolded herself from a small top of the closet shelf.
Ben had no idea how she got up there but he was glad to see her; but not as overjoyed as Inga was, that he was not the murdering Stan. Inga was white as a sheet and weak kneed to the point of being unable to walk. Ben finally picked her up so she wouldn't fall down the stairs. Lainey was standing in the doorway when they entered the kitchen, the shotgun in her hand.
"Wow Inga, was he here?" Lainey went to the sink for a dishtowel wrung out with cold water. "Are you OK?"
All Inga could do was nod that she was alright, words were sticking in her throat.
Lainey brought her a glass of cold water, and then had to help her hold the glass so she could drink.
"Dear God," Inga finally rasped. "He intended to kill me. Ben, he,...he was sent here to kill all of us. Stan was ranting and raving about Gunnar and how they were finally going to have their revenge on Pete." she sobbed a little and then jumped up out of the chair.
"We've got to get the family together at Grandma's. Now, tonight, before Stan finds us. We have to be safe." as she spoke her voice got higher and higher as her nerves and panic took over.
"Inga!" Ben barked loudly in her face, subsiding the overwrought emotion Inga was working up. "He's dead, I came to see if you could read the papers Stan had in his pocket."
"I want to go home," Inga said tearfully. "No way am I staying here tonight, not ever again will I stay here." she might have been sobbing, but Inga was definite. She was done with the clinic.
Ben closed the doors and helped both ladies into the Sheriff's SUV. The lights were still on at Grandma's, the welcoming smell of stew and biscuits wafting through the broken window as they stepped on the porch.
"Grandma, it's us," Ben had the sense to call out, as the shotgun barrels withdrew from the cover of the door curtain.
"Come in," Evie invited, gasping as she got a good look at the wild eyed, high strung Inga and the gun toting Lainey. "Good heavens, what has happened?"
Wayne stepped into the room, wiping shaving cream from his face, waving his gun, ready for action. "Hey man, you wanna get shot?" he scolded harshly, fixing Ben with a fierce glare.
"Where's Sandy," Ben ignored the implied threat. "Would you go get her, we need to have a family meeting, right now!" he emphasized.
"Over at Ev's, I'll go fetch," Wayne threw the gooey hand towel on the counter and it landed foam and whiskers side down, smearing down the drawer fronts as it slid to the floor.
Wayne was half shaved and a comical sight as he loped across the pasture to the Wilson's. Sandy made him identify himself before she would open the door and let Wayne in. She burst out laughing, her sense of humor tickled pink by the sight of the half and half shaved man.
"Hey, com'on," Wayne urged rapidly. "You gotta come home right away. Family meeting," he grabbed at her hand and tugged her toward the door.
"Hold on, hold on," Sandy scolded. "I want my coat and have to let Ev and Cheryl know I'm going."
"The whole town could have heard," Ev complained as he came from Christy's room where he had just tucked his sleepy daughter in bed.
"Get him out of here," Ev ordered with a grin. "He's wild enough looking to scare the devil."
"Dare ya," Wayne taunted, stroking the shaved side of his face to indicate that Ev should shave and scare the devil himself.
The family meeting commenced with grace and bowls of stew and biscuits with jam. Ben by the right of being Sheriff started talking first.
"I had to kill Stan," he announced with out preamble. "He was gunning for Inga, and tried to knife Lainey. Now," he paused for maximum effect, "we have a letter that may help us make heads or tails of this whole mess."
He gave Inga the letter and asked her to read it aloud. The English was stark and harsh. Kill the family, was written several times.
The disjointed mixture of French and German was more difficult, but Inga read on.
Gunnar had concocted up a plan to smuggle diamonds into the country in Inga's trophies. Pete was his contact on this side, where the brother was supposed to help remove the diamonds and send them on to the proper 'friends.'
Then...Gunnar found out Pete was the scum that had loved and left his triplet sisters with multiple children. Pete had been trying to find the trophies, Gunnar had been trying to find Pete and Tammy had been recruited to enforce of bit of 'justice' over all.
Tammy had defaulted against Gunnar and sold out her information to a interested cadre of very polite Oriental gentleman. She took in a great deal of cash from both sources. They wanted the diamonds, and eliminated Tammy when she couldn't produce. Davis had been an after thought, and she had no idea why he was there with a rifle.
Inghram had spent two years in France with a young Gunnar in a snooty boarding school, the little transmitters were Doc's contributions to the elaborate scheme. The only problem was, it was never explained how and who controlled the small inciter's. That small, pertinent piece of information forgotten in the mêlée. It was not a good thing it had been overlooked.
Why Doc had shared such information with Wright was still a puzzle, unless as Ben conjectured, he let his conscience get the better of him and alerted the authorities. The fact that Wright and Doc had been killed by Ron was pure coincidence. Or so he hoped.
Stan was an unwitting pawn in the scheme; his little transmitter had malfunctioned and it took many months to build up the dead certain urge to destroy all the Hanson's.
Evie fanned herself with her napkin, "Phew, I can't believe all of this is real. How in the world did we get mixed up in all this intrigue and murders."
"Just lucky, I guess," Clora deadpanned, bringing a nervous chuckle from around the table.
"Yeah," the kids agreed together.
The moment was interrupted by a scratch at the door. Wayne stretched over to turn the knob and in pranced the trio, Inky, Ruby and Junior. They were caked in mud and muck, having had a swell time all afternoon playing with a group of piglets in a odoriferous mud wallow. All three shook vigorously, spraying the inside of Evie's spotlessly clean kitchen and the people there in with stinky hog manure.
The end. The end of ........With my heart.
There is a final chapter, but it has to wait until the work load eases this fall. Mr Pac and I thank you for the good wishes, prayers and encouragement you all have sent our way. Thank you for reading and feeding my writing urge.
Pac, this entire series has been wonderful. This is one of those great stories that I always wanted to know what happened but never wanted it to end. I'm going to miss looking for a new chapter everyday, but will be looking forward to the final chapter. Thank you so much for sharing it and you and Mr. Pac will remain in my prayers.
Jeepcats 3
Contributing Member
This has been a wonderful story,
Take care of Mr Pac and yourself!!!!!
Jeepcats3
Take care of Mr Pac and yourself!!!!!
Jeepcats3
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank yo so much.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
Well, I had to have something to tide over into the next installment. didn't I?
As I explained before, LOL, I am the only hired man on this ranch. I have to get busy and see to the garden and animals. As in, I have 40 broilers to catch, kill and can before the buggers eat me out of house and home.
On a very sad note, my granddaughters went to live with their parents. I miss them so much. Parents got established in their new jobs, got a house and are settling in to make a good tight family unit. Just the way I want it, but I still miss them so much.
Mr Pac is doing better with his healing and the cessation of childish commotion. The loud noises was disturbing to him, but he didn't know why. The day's go on. Some are interesting and some are dull. I am waiting for the other writers to jump in and write twice as fast to cover my slack. Yeah TB2K!
As I explained before, LOL, I am the only hired man on this ranch. I have to get busy and see to the garden and animals. As in, I have 40 broilers to catch, kill and can before the buggers eat me out of house and home.
On a very sad note, my granddaughters went to live with their parents. I miss them so much. Parents got established in their new jobs, got a house and are settling in to make a good tight family unit. Just the way I want it, but I still miss them so much.
Mr Pac is doing better with his healing and the cessation of childish commotion. The loud noises was disturbing to him, but he didn't know why. The day's go on. Some are interesting and some are dull. I am waiting for the other writers to jump in and write twice as fast to cover my slack. Yeah TB2K!
I thank you SO much for the story!!!
But what did happen to the trophies? I would have loved to see them (the Hansens) "spill" all that glitter in the middle of the table which then got promptly covered by the muck from the dogs! lol!!!
(that is how I pictured it anyways! hehehehehe!)
But what did happen to the trophies? I would have loved to see them (the Hansens) "spill" all that glitter in the middle of the table which then got promptly covered by the muck from the dogs! lol!!!
(that is how I pictured it anyways! hehehehehe!)
Thank you so much much, Pac! We SO appreciate the wonderful community you've allowed us to be part of! May all of your work go easier and faster than expected!
cat killer
Senior Member
Thanks Pac, a reallllllly great story.
